Tinotenda Hove – Legendary musician Alick Macheso has paid an emotional tribute to his longtime mentor and sungura godfather, Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria, who passed away on Thursday morning.

In his heartfelt statement, Macheso described the pain of losing a man he regarded as a father and the foundation of his musical journey.

“Vadikani hama kumativi mana epasi rose, muzuva ra nhasi izuva ratabaiwa panyama nhete, ronda risingapori, ronda rinorwadza isu vararami,” he wrote, expressing deep sorrow following Zakaria’s death.

Macheso said Zakaria was not only a mentor but the pillar of their sungura legacy. “Nekurasikirwa na Baba vedu Madzibaba Zakaria, vaiva mbereko nezambuko redu mumimhanzi. Pasi rese takotamisa huso hwedu, misodzi ichiyerera pamatama nekurasikirwa ne gamba redu.”

He acknowledged that although death is part of God’s plan, it remains painful when it claims someone so close. “Hongu tinozviziva kuti rufu chitsidzo chavo Mwari asi nzira yacho inorwadza mukurasikirwa ne umwe wedu wepamoyo.”

Macheso added that Zakaria’s work and music will remain part of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage. “Mabasa avo, pamwe nenziyo dzavo, zviichazova nhorowondo yedu nevamwe vachazobarwa pasi rino.”

He said he would share more with fans and the public in due course, as the loss was still too fresh. “Hama neshamwari pamwe nemadzisahwira, handina akawanda panguva ino, zvizhinji tichakupai mukufamba kwenguva.”

Macheso concluded by consoling Zakaria’s family and bidding farewell to his mentor: “Ndakamirira mhuri dzose, ndinoti zororai murugare Baba.”